ETTU - European Table Tennis Union - News (1 Cititor)

[Milica Nikolic]

Romania secured their place in the quarterfinals of the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London after overcoming Egypt 3-2 in a dramatic and closely contested Round of 16 encounter.

The European side appeared in control after strong performances from Bernadette SZOCS and Elizabeta SAMARA, but Egypt fought back through an inspired display by Hana GODA to push the tie to a deciding fifth match.

SZOCS gave Romania the perfect start with a straight-games victory over Dina MESHREF. The Romanian controlled the rallies from the beginning and handled the pressure well in the key moments to put her team ahead.

Egypt responded in spectacular fashion through teenage star GODA. Facing Andreea DRAGOMAN, she recovered after losing the opening game to claim an impressive 3-2 victory and level the tie.

Romania regained the advantage thanks to the experience of Samara, who produced a composed performance against Farida BADAWY. Samara edged a tense opening game before taking full control to move Romania within one point of victory.

However, GODA once again kept Egypt alive. The young Egyptian delivered another excellent performance, this time defeating SZOCS in four games to force the tie into a deciding match.

Everything came down to DRAGOMAN against MESHREF, and the Romanian held her nerve in a tense five-game battle. After losing a dramatic opening game 17-19, Dragoman fought back twice from behind before sealing victory in the deciding game to send Romania into the last eight.

“We knew from the beginning that it would be a tough match and we were ready for it. I am happy I managed the match very well at 2-2 and that I helped my team secure the victory,” said DRAGOMAN after the win.“It feels amazing. I tried to stay focused and think about what I needed to do during the match. I can say I am very proud,”

Romania – Egypt 3-2

• Bernadette SZOCS – Dina MESHREF 3-0 (11-9, 11-6, 11-8)
• Andreea DRAGOMAN – Hana GODA 2-3 (11-8, 5-11, 4-11, 11-6, 2-11)
• Elizabeta SAMARA – Farida BADAWY 3-0 (14-12, 11-6, 11-7)
• Bernadette SZOCS – Hana GODA 1-3 (6-11, 11-6, 9-11, 7-11)
• Andreea DRAGOMAN – Dina MESHREF 3-2 (17-19, 11-6, 6-11, 11-9, 11-8)

The post Romania survive Egyptian challenge to reach quarterfinals in London first appeared on European table tennis union.

Continue reading...

 

[Milica Nikolic]

Sweden experienced mixed emotions on Wednesday at the ITTF World Team Championships Finals in London, as the men’s team advanced confidently to the quarterfinals while the women’s campaign came to an end against defending champions China.

The Swedish women faced a daunting challenge in the Round of 16 against the six-time consecutive world champions, and China once again demonstrated why they remain the dominant force in women’s table tennis.

Despite the straight-games defeat, Sweden showed determination throughout the tie. Linda BERGSTRÖM, Stina KÄLLBERG and Filippa BERGAND all battled hard, but the class and consistency of China’s stars proved overwhelming.

Whether it was SUN Yingsha, WANG Manyu or WANG Yidi, the pattern remained the same. Sweden created opportunities in rallies, but the Chinese players repeatedly found solutions and maintained extraordinary control under pressure.

Later in the day, Sweden’s men produced a much more comfortable evening, defeating Croatia 3-0 to secure a quarterfinal place against Chinese Taipei.

Team captain Marcus SJÖBERG selected Anton KÄLLBERG, Truls MÖREGÅRDH and Elias RANEFUR for the knockout clash, and all three delivered strong performances.

KÄLLBERG opened the tie against Tomislav PUCAR, an opponent who had previously caused him plenty of problems internationally. This time, however, the Swede played with great confidence and attacking intent, overcoming the Croatian in four games to give Sweden the lead.

MÖREGÅRDH then faced experienced veteran Andrej GACINA in a dramatic five-game battle. The Swedish star twice moved ahead before eventually dominating the deciding game to double Sweden’s advantage.

“It feels really good. I had never beaten GACINA before because his spin variation usually causes me a lot of trouble. It was difficult again today, but I managed to find solutions at the most important moments and I’m especially happy with the way I played the final game. The whole team showed great confidence today,” said MÖREGÅRDH.

The tie was closed out in convincing style by RANEFUR, who completely controlled his match against Filip ZELJKO. The young Swede maintained relentless pressure from start to finish and secured victory in straight games.

“I gain confidence from all the hard work I’ve put in over many years. Even though this is my first World Championships, I feel calm because I trust my ability to find solutions during matches. Today I moved very well and found good quality both in my serve and attacking shots, which made things very difficult for him,” explained RANEFUR.

Sweden will now face Chinese Taipei in Thursday’s quarterfinal.

Sweden – China 0-3

• Linda BERGSTRÖM – SUN Yingsha 0-3 (3-11, 4-11, 4-11)
• Stina KÄLLBERG – WANG Manyu 0-3 (5-11, 0-11, 3-11)
• Filippa BERGAND – WANG Yidi 0-3 (7-11, 4-11, 4-11)

Sweden – Croatia 3-0

• Anton KÄLLBERG – Tomislav PUCAR 3-1 (12-10, 8-11, 11-3, 11-8)
• Truls MÖREGÅRDH – Andrej GACINA 3-2 (11-6, 10-12, 11-9, 6-11, 11-5)
• Elias RANEFUR – Filip ZELJKO 3-0 (11-5, 11-6, 11-5)

The post Sweden men power into quarterfinals while women fall to China first appeared on European table tennis union.

Continue reading...

 

[Milica Nikolic]

During the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals, ETTU President Pedro MOURA met with KTTA President Taesung LEE to discuss the growing cooperation between the European Table Tennis Union and the Korean Table Tennis Association, with a particular focus on the ongoing “Eurospins” project and future joint initiatives.

The meeting highlighted the positive relationship already established between the two organisations through the Eurospins training camps, which bring together some of Europe’s and Korea’s most promising young players in a unique high-performance and cultural exchange environment.

Speaking about the meeting in London, Pedro MOURA underlined the importance of strengthening the collaboration between the two associations.

“We discussed the cooperation between the European Table Tennis Union and the Korean Table Tennis Association, as well as ways to further improve and develop it in the future. The Eurospins project has already created a very positive connection between our young players, coaches and federations, and we believe this cooperation can continue to grow through future projects and training camps together,” said Pedro MOURA.

The first edition of the project was staged on the Korean island of Jeju in December 2025, where eight selected European players trained alongside their Korean counterparts during an intensive programme featuring daily practice sessions, friendly matches and cultural activities. The initiative continued this year in Havířov, Czechia, where young European and Korean players once again had the opportunity to share experiences and develop together.

ETTU and the Korean Table Tennis Association are expected to continue their cooperation later this year, with another joint training camp planned in Korea in September 2026 as part of the ongoing development of the project.

The post Future cooperation in focus as Pedro MOURA meets Korean TTA President Taesung LEE first appeared on European table tennis union.

Continue reading...

 

[Milica Nikolic]

Germany’s women booked their place in the semifinals of the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals after overcoming Hong Kong 3-1 in a tense and emotional quarterfinal clash in London. Sabine WINTER, Ying HAN and Annett KAUFMANN secured Germany’s 57th medal in the history of the World Championships and guaranteed a place on the podium once again.

The German team will now face either Japan or Ukraine in Saturday’s semifinal. Japan, seeded second in the tournament, handed Germany their only defeat during the group stage.

Sabine WINTER played a decisive role in the victory by collecting two crucial points. She produced a remarkable comeback in the opening match against Doo Hoi Kem after trailing by two games and facing a difficult situation midway through the third game. WINTER gradually turned the momentum around with clever variation and strong forehand play before sealing the match in five games.

Ying HAN then delivered one of the most dramatic encounters of the tournament against NG Wing Lam. The experienced defender survived a marathon battle filled with spectacular rallies and momentum swings. In the deciding game, HAN also showed great sportsmanship by correcting a point in favour of her adversary after the umpire missed an edge ball. Despite missing several match points herself, she eventually closed out the contest 15-13 to double Germany’s lead.

“It was a crazy match. I kept believing in myself until the very last point,” said Ying HAN afterwards.

Hong Kong responded through SU Tsz Tung, who defeated Annett KAUFMANN in four games to reduce the gap to 2-1. However, WINTER stepped up once more in the fourth match, producing a dominant straight-games win over Ng Wing Lam to secure Germany’s place in the semifinals.

“It’s something huge to be in the semifinal,” said Sabine WINTER. “The score may say 3-1, but every match was extremely close. We fought for every single ball and stayed mentally strong in the key moments.”

Germany – Hong Kong 3-1

• Sabine WINTER – Doo Hoi Kem 3-2 (10-12, 8-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-4)
• Ying HAN – Ng Wing Lam 3-2 (11-9, 7-11, 15-17, 13-11, 15-13)
• Annett KAUFMANN – Su Tsz Tung 1-3 (10-12, 11-8, 8-11, 4-11)
• Sabine WINTER – Ng Wing Lam 3-0 (11-1, 11-5, 11-6)

The post Germany’s women secure World Championships medal after victory over Hong Kong first appeared on European table tennis union.

Continue reading...

 

[Milica Nikolic]

Belgian table tennis has lost one of its greatest names with the passing of Norbert VAN DE WALLE at the age of 85.

A legendary defender and one of the most respected figures in Belgian table tennis history, VAN DE WALLE left a remarkable mark on the sport through a career that spanned decades. He won six Belgian national titles, claiming his first crown in 1964 and his last in 1972, while also representing Belgium an incredible 215 times in the national team colours.

Widely regarded as the finest defensive player Belgium has ever produced, VAN DE WALLE was admired not only for his consistency and fighting spirit at the table, but also for his deep love of the sport that remained with him throughout his life.

His table tennis journey began far from Belgium. After his parents moved to Chicago, he started his career in the United States and even represented the US junior national team before eventually returning to Belgium, where he would go on to become one of the country’s most iconic players.

Even in recent years, VAN DE WALLE remained closely connected to the table tennis community. He was still present in March at the Belgian National Championships in Spa, once again showing his passion and dedication to the sport that shaped his life.

The European table tennis family extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends, former teammates and the Belgian table tennis community.

His legacy will remain an important part of Belgian table tennis history forever.

The post In Memoriam: Norbert VAN DE WALLE first appeared on European table tennis union.

Continue reading...

 

[Milica Nikolic]

Romania secured a place on the podium at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals after defeating France 3-1 in the women’s quarterfinals on Friday evening in London. With the victory, Romania guaranteed at least a bronze medal and advanced to the semifinals, where they will face China for a place in the final.

France made the stronger start as Yuan Jia NAN edged past Adina DIACONU in five games. Romania quickly responded through Bernadette SZOCS, who recovered after losing momentum in the fourth game to defeat Prithika PAVADE in the decider.

Andreea DRAGOMAN then put Romania ahead with a confident 3-1 win over Charlotte LUTZ before SZOCS sealed the overall victory in the fourth match. The Romanian star came through another hard-fought battle against Yuan Jia NAN, winning the decisive fourth game in deuce to send Romania into the semifinals.

France – Romania 1-3

• Yuan Jia Nan – Adina DIACONU 3-2 (7-11, 13-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-5)
• Prithika PAVADE – Bernadette SZOCS 2-3 (7-11, 9-11, 13-11, 11-5, 2-11)
• Charlotte LUTZ – Andreea DRAGOMAN 1-3 (6-11, 7-11, 11-6, 6-11)
• Yuan Jia Nan – Bernadette SZOCS 1-3 (12-10, 6-11, 4-11, 12-14)

The post Romania through to semifinals as China awaits in London first appeared on European table tennis union.

Continue reading...

 

[Milica Nikolic]

France booked their place in the semi-finals of the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London with an impressive 3-0 victory over Brazil in the quarter-finals, setting up a blockbuster clash against China.

The French side delivered a dominant team performance, led by an outstanding opening win from Flavien COTON against Brazil’s star player Hugo CALDERANO.

France knew the opening match would be crucial, and COTON rose to the occasion in spectacular fashion by defeating CALDERANO in straight games.

“We knew the first match was very important to launch the tie because he is by far their leader,” explained COTON. “I really wanted to produce a strong performance and put the team on the right track. I’m very happy with my level throughout the entire match. In the third game I was down 8-4, but I managed to turn things around and win in straight games. Honestly, it was a very good performance from both me and the team.”

The victory gave France immediate momentum, and Felix LEBRUN followed with a ruthless display against Guilherme TEODORO, conceding only ten points across three games.

“It was incredible today. Special mention to Flavien for beating their number one player. That was an unbelievable match and it gave us huge momentum,” said Lebrun. “It’s already a great achievement to secure a medal, but tomorrow against China will be an incredibly exciting match.”

After dropping the opening game, Alexis LEBRUN completed the sweep by overcoming Leonardo IIZUKA to seal France’s place in the last four.

“Flavien played probably the match of his life at exactly the right moment for us,” said coach Nathanael MOLIN. “He put the team on the right track brilliantly. We can really feel that everything is smooth inside the team. The guys are fully committed, growing stronger and stronger. We already felt that during the preparation camps and everything that was put in place before the championships.”

France will now face China in the semi-finals, with the French camp embracing the opportunity to challenge the reigning world champions.

“Playing China in a World Championship semi-final is something exceptional,” added Coton. “Of course, we also want to win and try to dethrone them. They have been world champions for many years, but we believe we can produce a great performance.”

France – Brazil 3-0

• Flavien COTON – Hugo CALDERANO 3-0 (12-10, 11-8, 11-9)
• Felix LEBRUN – Guilherme TEODORO 3-0 (11-4, 11-2, 11-4)
• Alexis LEBRUN – Leonardo IIZUKA 3-1 (11-13, 11-3, 11-4, 11-7)

The post France overpower Brazil and march into World Championships semi-finals first appeared on European table tennis union.

Continue reading...

 

[Milica Nikolic]

European hopes of reaching the final came to an end at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, as both Germany and Romania suffered 3-0 defeats in the women’s semi-finals. Nevertheless, both teams leave the event with bronze medals after impressive campaigns.

Japan secured their place in the final with a strong performance against Germany. Miwa HARIMOTO overcame Ying HAN in four games, before Hina HAYATA edged past Sabine WINTER in a dramatic five-game battle. Honoka HASHIMOTO then sealed the victory against Nina MITTELHAM.

Meanwhile, reigning champions China proved too strong for Romania. SUN Yingsha defeated Elizabeta SAMARA, while WANG Manyu overcame Bernadette SZOCS despite a strong fight in the third game. KUAI Man completed the sweep against Andreea DRAGOMAN.

Although denied a place in the final, both Germany and Romania can take pride in securing bronze medals on the world stage.

Japan – Germany 3-0

• Miwa Harimoto – Ying Han 3-1 (5-11, 12-10, 11-3, 11-8)
• Hina Hayata – Sabine Winter 3-2 (10-12, 6-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-6)
• Honoka Hashimoto – Nina Mittelham 3-0 (11-8, 11-5, 11-5)

China – Romania 3-0

• SUN Yingsha – Elizabeta SAMARA 3-0 (11-3, 11-4, 11-5)
• WANG Manyu – Bernadette SZOCS 3-0 (11-4, 11-9, 12-10)
• KUAI Man – Andreea DRAGOMAN 3-0 (12-10, 11-6, 12-10)

The post Geramny and Romania women settle for bronze at World Championships Finals in London first appeared on European table tennis union.

Continue reading...

 

[Milica Nikolic]

France saw their impressive run at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals come to an end in London after a hard-fought 3-1 defeat against reigning champions China in the semi-finals. Despite the disappointment of missing the final, the French team once again secured a place on the World podium, adding bronze to the historic silver medal won in Busan two years ago.

The opening match immediately set the tone for a memorable evening. Flavien COTON pushed world No. 2 WANG Chuqin to the limit in an extraordinary battle lasting more than an hour. The young Frenchman showed tremendous courage and composure, even taking the lead before eventually falling in five dramatic games.

France responded in spectacular fashion through Felix LEBRUN, who delivered one of the finest performances of his career against world No. 1 LIN Shidong. The French star played with confidence in the key moments, winning in straight games to level the match and ignite the French supporters.

The turning point of the semi-final came in the third encounter. Alexis LEBRUN completely dominated the opening stages against LIANG Jingkun, racing through the first two games 11-3 and 11-1 and moving within touching distance of giving France the overall lead. However, the Chinese player fought back dramatically, saving match points before turning the match around in heartbreaking fashion for the French side.

With France trailing 2-1 overall, Felix LEBRUN returned to the table needing victory against WANG Chuqin to keep French hopes alive. The match was once again highly competitive, but the Chinese star ultimately secured the decisive point to send China into the final.

Although the journey ended in the semi-finals, France once again confirmed its status among the world’s elite nations. After finishing the group stage unbeaten and producing several outstanding performances throughout the tournament, the French team leaves London with another World Championships medal and further proof of the remarkable progress of French table tennis.

Led by Nathanael MOLIN and supported by experienced players such as Simon GAUZY and Thibault PORET, alongside the outstanding LEBRUN brothers and Flavien COTON, France once again showed they belong among the very best teams in the world.

France – China 1-3

• Flavien COTON – WANG Chuqin 2-3 (13-15, 13-11, 11-9, 4-11, 8-11)
• Felix LEBRUN – LIN Shidong 3-0 (11-9, 11-9, 12-10)
• Alexis LEBRUN – LIANG Jingkun 2-3 (11-3, 11-1, 13-15, 10-12, 2-11)
• Felix LEBRUN – WANG Chuqin 1-3 (11-13, 11-9, 9-11, 4-11)

The post France settle for bronze after spectacular battle with China first appeared on European table tennis union.

Continue reading...

 

[Milica Nikolic]

KS Orlen Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki will arrive in Saarbrücken at HYLO® Champions League Men Final 4 (to be played on 15th and 16th May) with growing confidence and the ambition to continue one of the most successful periods in the club’s history. Over the past two decades, Bogoria have established themselves as a dominant force in Polish table tennis, collecting 10 national team championship titles and building a strong reputation on the European stage.

The Polish side have been regular contenders in both the Champions League and the Europe Cup, formerly the ETTU Cup. One of their biggest European achievements came in the 2012/2013 season, when they reached the ETTU Cup final. More recently, last year, the club reached a historic breakthrough by advancing to the Champions League Final 4 for the first time, confirming their place among Europe’s elite clubs.

Their route to this year’s HYLO® Champions League Men Final 4 once again highlighted both quality and consistency. Bogoria opened the knockout stage with a dominant Round of 16 display against SF SKK El Niño Praha, recording back-to-back 3-0 victories to underline their authority.

The quarter-finals against domestic rivals KS Bank Spółdzielczy Orlicz 1924 Suchedniów proved far more demanding. Bogoria edged the first leg 3-2 away from home before securing qualification with another tense 3-2 victory, showing composure and resilience in the decisive moments.

One of the club’s greatest strengths is the balance between experience and emerging talent. Milosz REDZIMSKI continues to establish himself as one of the brightest young players in Europe, while the experienced Panagiotis GIONIS brings calmness, tactical intelligence and leadership to the squad. Alongside them, Takuya JIN and Marek BADOWSKI provide further depth, supported by promising young Polish players including Wojciech SZYMCZAK and Michal GAWLAS.

For Gionis, reaching the Final 4 once again is already a major achievement for the club.

“Reaching the Final Four of the Champions League in back-to-back seasons is something very special for us,” said GIONIS. “From the beginning of the season, this was one of our main goals, so we are very happy we managed to do it again. Now we want to see if we can make something even more special.”

The experienced Greek knows the challenge awaiting Bogoria in Saarbrücken will be enormous.

“We know it will be extremely difficult against 1. FC Saarbrücken TT. They are an unbelievable team, especially at home, with fantastic fans and world-class players like FAN Zhendong, Truls MOREGARD, Patrick FRANZISKA and Darko JORGIC. But we will try our best.”

GIONIS also highlighted the importance of the younger generation inside the team, especially REDZIMSKI’S rapid development.

“Milosz is becoming our superstar. He is an incredible young talent and I’m very impressed with how quickly he is improving. At 46 years old, of course I no longer have the same speed or power as before, but I believe my experience helps the younger players deal with pressure, feel more confident and enjoy these moments.

“It’s a great combination – experience and young talent together. Marek is also improving year after year and he is still very young. It works both ways. Their energy gives me extra motivation as well.”

REDZIMSKI believes the experience gained from last season’s Final 4 appearance could be important for Bogoria this weekend.

“I think our previous experience gives us a lot of confidence because we know what to expect at this level,” said REDZIMSKI. “Playing in the Final 4 is always something special, and having players in the team who already experienced these matches helps us stay calm and focused. At the same time, we know every season is different, so we need to prove ourselves again at the table.”

Despite his young age, the Polish international has already become one of the key figures in the squad.

“Of course there is always some pressure in important matches, but I try to see it as motivation rather than something negative,” he explained. “I focus on my preparation, trust my work and try to enjoy the opportunity to play at this level. Being trusted by the team gives me extra confidence. We expect a very difficult match because Saarbrücken are one of the strongest teams in Europe and they have a lot of experience in these competitions. Every match will be tough and details can decide everything. But we also believe in our qualities and we will fight for every point.”

The young Pole also stressed the importance of the balance between youth and experience inside the team.

“Experienced players like Panos bring calmness, knowledge and leadership, especially in difficult moments. Younger players bring energy and ambition. Together it creates a very good atmosphere and helps the whole team develop.”

REDZIMSKI recently competed at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals, where Poland suffered a disappointing Round of 32 defeat against Romania, but he insists the focus has now fully shifted back to the club season.

“It was definitely a difficult moment emotionally because we had bigger expectations for the tournament. Losing a match like that is never easy, but in professional sport you have to recover quickly. After a short time, my focus was already back on the club season and preparing for the Final 4.”

He also believes the World Championships experience can help him ahead of the decisive weekend in Saarbrücken.

“Every international event gives you valuable experience and extra motivation. Competing against strong players always helps you improve and prepares you mentally for the biggest matches.”

Asked what could make the difference if Bogoria are to reach the final, REDZIMSKI pointed to mentality and teamwork.

“The key will be staying mentally strong and fighting for every single point. In matches at this level, small details are very important. We need to play with confidence, support each other as a team and take our chances when they come.”

The post KS Orlen Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki chasing new milestone first appeared on European table tennis union.

Continue reading...